Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A multizone test device for the specific binding assay determination of an analyte in a liquid test medium involving binding between (i) the analyte and a labeled or immobilized form of the analyte or of a binding analog thereof, and (ii) an immobilized or labeled form, respectively, of a binding partner of the analyte, the labeled one of the analyte, analog thereof, or binding partner being a labeled reagent comprising a detectable chemical group which interacts with a detectant composition to produce a detectable signal, characterized in that the test device comprises, in fluid flow contact, (1) a reagent zone comprising a solid, porous matrix incorporated with the immobilized one of the analyte, analog thereof, or binding partner, and (2) a detection zone comprising a solid, porous matrix for receiving and measuring labeled reagent which migrates into such zone and incorporated with an immobilized form of at least one component of the detectant composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A multizone test device for the specific binding assay determination of an analyte in a liquid test medium involving binding between (i) the analyte and a labeled or immobilized form of the analyte or of a binding analog thereof, and (ii) an immobilized or labeled form, respectively, of a binding partner of the analyte, the labeled one of the analyte, analog thereof, or binding partner being a labeled reagent comprising a detectable chemical group which interacts with a detectant composition to produce a detectable signal, characterized in that the test device comprises, in fluid flow contact, (1) a reagent zone comprising a solid, porous matrix incorporated with the immobilized one of the analyte, analog thereof, or binding partner, and (2) a detection zone comprising a solid, porous matrix for receiving and measuring labeled reagent which migrates into such zone and incorporated with an immobilized form of at least one component of the detectant composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The test device of Claim 1 wherein the detectant component immobilized in the detection zone participates in a chemical reaction with the labeled reagent to produce a product which provides the detectable signal and wherein the detectable chemical group in the labeled reagent is an enzymatically active group, preferably (i) an enzyme or (ii) a substrate or cofactor for such enzyme, wherein the immobilized detectant component is the other thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The test device of any of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the detectable chemical group in the labeled reagent is an enzyme and wherein the immobilized detectant component is a chromogenic, fluorogenic, or chemiluminescent substrate therefor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The test device of any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the detectable chemical group in the labeled reagent is a polymer residue to which are attached internally-qhenched multiple fluorescers and wherein the immobilized detectant component is an enzyme which acts on the fluorescer-polymer residue to cleave and release unquenched fluorescer molecules.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The test device of any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the immobilized detectant component undergoes a chemical reaction with the labeled reagent to form an immobilized product which provides the detectable signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The test device of any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the detectable product is insoluble or the detectable product is soluble and the detection zone additionally comprises an immobilizing agent for such soluble product.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The test device of any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the detectable chemical group in the labeled reagent comprises a fluorescer, preferably a polymer residue bearing multiple fluorescers, and wherein the detectant component immobilized in the detectionzone is a quencher for the fluorescence of the labeled reagent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The test device of any of Claims 1 tc 7 wherein the detectant component is immobilized in the detection zone by being covalently coupled to the matrix comprised therein or by being attached to a high molecular weight polymeric substance dispersed in said matrix.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The test device of any of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the binding partner of the anlyte is an antibody or a fragment thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
The test device of any of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the reagent and detection zones are in the form of layers in fluid flow contact and which test device additionally comprises a reagent layer comprising a solid, porous matrix incorporated with a test medium soluble form of the labeled reagent and a support element situated on the opposite side of the detection layer from the reagent layer.